Anne opens history centre at war cemetery

The Princess Royal has opened a new history centre at a Staffordshire cemetery dedicated to German and Austrian war dead, aimed at helping visitors understand the history and reconciliation between Britain and Germany.

Princess Anne attended a commemorative event at Cannock Chase German Military Cemetery on Thursday, where representatives from both the UK and Germany gathered for the official opening.

The new centre features a bilingual exhibition and workshop facilities explaining German-British history and the reconciliation that followed World War Two.

The cemetery contains the graves of nearly 5,000 people from the two World Wars.

The event was hosted by the German War Graves Commission, Volksbund Deutsche Kriegsgräberfürsorge.

Vice Admiral Peter Hudson, vice chairman of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, said he was honoured the organisation had delivered the project and grateful for the presence of Princess Anne.

"[In the cemetery around us lie nearly 5,000 German and Austrian soldiers, the cemetery next door, another 350 personnel," he said.

"This is a very special site of shared commemoration, a place for us all to reflect upon the individuals who gave their lives during the titanic struggles in the last century.

"This new centre is more than a building, it's a place of learning, of reflection and understanding. It reminds us of the immense human cost of war. The stories told within this centre help us understand that cost."

Hudson said the facility would help future generations engage with history and understand the importance of peace.

"Perhaps most importantly, the centre will help future generations engage with that history by understanding the past honestly and thoughtfully.

"People can better appreciate the value of peace, democracy and international cooperation.

"The friendship that exists today between the United Kingdom and Germany is one of the great achievements of post-war reconciliation. Places like this demonstrate how remembrance can bring people together."

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